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The batter says he wasn’t fussed about being left out of the XI in India after making a terrific hundred in the WTC final

Andrew McGlashan07-Jun-20231:51

Haddin breaks down Head’s high-risk game

This World Test Championship final is Australia’s 20th Test match in the two-year cycle. Four of their players have appeared in all the games. Travis Head has been part of 18 of them. One of his absences was due to Covid in Sydney during the 2021-22 Ashes, but the other was when he was dropped.Head, unbeaten on 146 off 156 balls after the first day against India, has now scored 1354 runs in this WTC at an average of 58.86 and strike rate of 81.91, and he can eye a double-century on Thursday. However, earlier this year, he was not deemed worthy of a place in the first Test against India in Nagpur.Whichever way the argument is spun with statistics, it will go down as one of the stranger selection calls in recent times, even when Head’s previous struggles in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2022 are factored in, but he insisted there is no lingering resentment.Related

Have India made a mistake in leaving out Ashwin?

Head and Smith dominate India on day one

“It honestly doesn’t faze me,” he said at The Oval. “Very privileged to be where I am and do what I do. We’ve got a very strong squad of guys, selection isn’t always going to go your way, it hasn’t in the past, that’s out of my control. All I can do is be as consistent as I can be on the field, [and] off the field enjoy myself.”Yes, I’d love to play every Test but that won’t always be the case. That gives good perspective to moments like this. Hopefully I don’t get dropped too much in the future but it will definitely happen … it doesn’t give me extra fuel.”I know certain decisions haven’t gone my way in the past but I feel like I [have] got a fair bit to contribute to this team and [am] valued within the team. I’ve got the backing of the staff and the captain and the players so it’s nice.”Like Nagpur, The Oval is also a ground where Head has been on the rough end of a selection call when he was omitted from the final Test of the 2019 Ashes. This time his sixth Test century, and the fourth in this edition of the World Test Championship, three of which have come at decisive stages of an innings, powered Australia to 327 for 3 at the close.The unbroken stand with Steven Smith was worth 251 to suggest few gremlins in the surface. However, batting was far from easy for considerable portions of the day, with some deliveries jumping from a length and others scuttling low. Australia, too, would have bowled first had they won the toss, but it appears to have worked out perfectly for them if the unevenness develops further over the game.”If you get it in the right area there’s plenty there,” Head said. “As the game goes on, hopefully it gets a little quicker for us and we can find the right lengths, and I feel if you do that for long periods of time it can be a challenging wicket.”That good length at the top of the stumps was hard work. And as we [saw] when they went to that short-pitched plan it wasn’t the most consistent wicket, and the Dukes swings a little so it made for some awkward moments.”

Big-name players like Pulido, Chicharito, Gutiérrez, Guzmán, Mozo, Alvarado, and Romo were unable to lead Chivas to the Liguilla in the Clausura 2025

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• Vega, Antuna, Zendejas, and Huerta didn’t shine at Chivas, but have since become key stars on other teams
• will have a month of vacation that started this Monday
• They will also have to face MLS teams in the Leagues Cup, which will begin at the end of July

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  For Hugo Sánchez, a legend of both Real Madrid and the Mexico National Team, playing for Chivas no longer guarantees a successful career in Mexican football. According to the , “The top Mexican players, when Chivas comes calling, now hesitate,” he said during an appearance on ESPN, where he currently works as an analyst.

  “From a sporting perspective, there have been poor decisions that have derailed a club as big and historic as Chivas. When Fernando Hierro came in, it looked like something serious was finally being done, but that project eventually fell apart. They’ve tried to replicate it since, but haven’t been able to get it right. Chivas should be home to the best Mexican talent, but the front office hasn’t had that special ability – that pull – to convince those players to come. Now, given the club’s current form, players really think twice. There was a time when you just didn’t say no to Chivas.”

  Hugo’s comments come at a time when, in recent years, several analysts and experts have questioned Chivas’ ability to attract the best available Mexican players. While some top talents now aim for a move to Europe, others have chosen to sign with clubs like América, Cruz Azul, Tigres, Monterrey or MLS teams instead of joining .

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  In recent years, Chivas have seen several of their most talented players leave the club after failing to deliver results, only to thrive elsewhere. The team has also struggled to get the most out of experienced, high-profile signings, many of whom have failed to perform at the expected level. More and more, players are beginning to think twice before joining .

  Names like Alexis Vega, Uriel Antuna, Alejandro Zendejas, and César Huerta didn’t shine at Chivas as expected, but have since become key stars for their respective teams. Even homegrown talents like Jesús Orozco, who did make an impact at Chivas, have been transferred out. Meanwhile, a new generation of Mexican talent – including Erick Sánchez, Diego Lainez, Sebastián Córdova, and Carlos Gutiérrez – is flourishing at other Liga MX clubs.

  As Sánchez said, there was a time when no one would dare say no to Chivas. Now, players think twice.

  Big-name players like Alan Pulido, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, Erick Gutiérrez, Víctor Guzmán, Alan Mozo, Roberto Alvarado, and Luis Romo were unable to lead Chivas to the Liguilla in the Clausura 2025. So, the question is: did these players underperform, or is there a deeper issue within the club that needs to be addressed at the root in order to restore its greatness?

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  WHAT HUGO SÁNCHEZ SAID

  "The feeling a striker has when they're left on the bench in a crucial match is one of overwhelming helplessness. He voiced his frustration, and because of that, he didn’t play. The frustration of warming up and not being able to help your teammates is tough," said Hugo Sánchez, showing empathy toward Hernández after he was left out of Chivas' final match of the Clausura 2025.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHIVAS?

  Eliminated from the Clausura 2025 and without a coach, will have a month of vacation that started this Monday. They will also have to face MLS teams in the Leagues Cup, which will begin at the end of July.

RB Leipzig ace Benjamin Sesko has a "performance-based release clause" in his current contract which means the better he plays, the more he will cost.

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Sesko has enjoyed prolific season with RB LeipzigWanted by Premier League clubsClause in his contract means price has gone upFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Sesko has enjoyed a prolific campaign in the Bundesliga which has led to speculation he could move on in the summer. According to Sky Germany, Sesko's performance-related release clause means that he is currently valued at over €80 million (£68m/$90m). However, an exit is also possible without the release clause being activated. If that were to happens, Leipzig would likely demand a higher fee and a different payment structure. The report suggests clubs could be asked for €75m (£64m/$85m) up front and an additional €15m (£13m/$17m in add-ons, making a total cost of €90m (£76m/$101m)

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Premier League sides Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle have all been credited with an interest in Sesko as the clubs seek to bolster their attacking options before the start of the 2025-26 season. Sesko has scored 21 times and contributed six assists in all competitions this season for Leipzig, an impressive record in what's been an underwhelming season for the Bundesliga side. The striker is also still only 21, meaning there is likely to be much more still to come from the Slovenia international.

DID YOU KNOW?

Champions Bayern Munich have conceded just two goals in the first 15 minutes of this Bundesliga season – both were scored by Sesko for RB Leipzig.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR SESKO

Sesko and Leipzig will wrap up their season with Bundesliga games against Werder Bremen and Stuttgart. An interesting summer then awaits, with Leipzig expected to receive plenty of interest in their young hotshot.

Pakistan A rode on Tayyab’s century to post 352 before Muqeem’s three-wicket burst broke India A’s back in Colombo

Shashank Kishore23-Jul-2023Tayyab Tahir, a seasoned 29-year-old batter, and Sufiyan Muqeem, a rookie left-arm wristspinner, combined to help Pakistan A beat India A and defend their ACC Men’s Emerging Cup crown in Colombo.Tayyab, for whom it has already been a dream year, added another chapter to his 2023 fairytale. He started with a dazzling half-century on PSL debut for Karachi Kings in February and made his T20I debut against Afghanistan in March. Four months on, he struck an aggressive 71-ball 108 to power Pakistan A to 352 for 8 after they were sent in to bat by Yash Dhull, on what he felt was a dry surface.Then, with India A’s chase in the balance, Muqeem, who made his List A debut earlier in the tournament, made a telling contribution with his ripping wrong’uns from the over-the-wicket angle. That he mixed it up with sharp legbreaks added to India A’s challenge and they folded for 224 in 40 overs.That the game fizzled out towards the end was because Muqeem prised out the massive scalps of Abhishek Sharma, India’s top scorer with 61, and Dhull, for 39, to crack open the game in Pakistan’s favour. Muqeem finished with figures of 3 for 66 in his ten overs, thriving on support from fellow spinners Mubasir Khan and Mehran Mumtaz.The Pakistan team management did not play Muqeem in the league game against India, possibly to shield him from the batters’ view. In the grand finale, they were caught unawares by a supremely talented spinner who made heads turn with his control and guile, seldom taking the defensive route, not even when he was under attack early on by Abhishek.Pakistan A players celebrate after winning the Emerging Cup•SLC

India’s lower order hung around to try and defy the bowlers in a late effort to take the game deep, but at 194 for 8, they were merely delaying the inevitable. Mohammad Wasim fittingly finished the game off with a searing yorker to send Yuvrajsinh Dodiya’s stumps.The win would be all the more satisfying for Pakistan, not least because they were handed a pounding by India A in the league fixture. Tayyab, who like Muqeem did not play in that game, walked in at 146 for 2 in the 22nd over after openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub put together an aggressive century stand to lay down the marker.But he soon saw Omair Yousuf and Qasim Akram fall off successive deliveries to Riyan Parag’s right-arm everything in the 28th over. Then in the 29th, when Mohammad Haris, the captain, was trapped lbw by Nishant Sindhu’s left-arm spin, Pakistan A had lost 3 for 4 in ten deliveries.At 187 for 5, India A had just found their footing and were beginning to tighten the screws courtesy their spinners. This is when Tayyab decided he wasn’t going to let the game drift. At the first sign of the Indians switching off, he cashed in. What began as a burst of aggression turned into a full-blown counterattack.Tayyab had a slice of luck when he was dropped on 51 in the 37th over when Rajvardhan Hangargekar circled around a ball he misjudged at the long-on boundary. That was the only blemish in a knock where he showcased oodles of maturity in manipulating the fields, milking runs, throwing bowlers off their lengths and also playing some cheeky reverse paddles, all without making it look like he was taking risks.He was superbly supported by Mubasir, who occupied the crease to help the lower order rally. Without their 126-run seventh-wicket stand, Pakistan A may have been bundled out for a much smaller score.Abhishek Sharma’s 51-ball 61 was not enough to get India A close•Asian Cricket Council

India A’s chase began on a sprightly note as Abhishek and Sai Sudharsan played authentic shots and matched each other stroke for stroke in an enterprising first ten overs. Sudharsan’s wristwork was particularly impressive as he whipped and worked the ball to different parts of the leg side with ease, but his undoing was an Arshad Iqbal short ball that he couldn’t quite get out of the way of, top-edging a pull to the wicketkeeper to break a 64-run opening stand.Nikin Jose was a tad unfortunate to be given out caught behind when replays confirmed the ball had brushed his right hip on the way through to the wicketkeeper. Dhull steadied the innings but found no support once Abhishek was out playing an uppish cut to Muqeem.Pakistan A profited from having the crafty Mubasir operate from the other end and he struck with the big wicket of Sindhu, who was promoted up the order. Mubasir got the ball to dip on Sindhu, who popped a return catch. When Dhruv Jurel and Parag followed suit, the end was nigh.

Manchester United have identified a “terrific” Premier League player as a top target this summer, according to a promising new transfer claim.

Man Utd continue to eye attacking stars with Cunha

The Red Devils are expecting an exodus of attacking players before the new season gets underway, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho all moving on.

While Matheus Cunha has joined from Wolves, and Bryan Mbeumo remains a strong target from Brentford, United know the importance of bringing in a new centre forward, amid Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles. Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic has been linked with a summer move to Old Trafford, and would be an exciting addition who has proven himself at the top level. A swap deal involving the out-of-favour Sancho has also been mooted.

Eintracht Frankfurt ace Hugo Ekitike has been talked about as an option for many top Premier League clubs this summer, including Liverpool, and he could be an alternative option to Vlahovic for the Red Devils.

United are also said to have made contact over the signing of highly-rated Southampton youngster Tyler Dibling, who is arguably seen as one of the brightest young English attacking talents around. Now, another name has been thrown into the mix.

Man Utd make Premier League striker top target

According to Caught Offside, Manchester United are “considering” making a move for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins in the summer window, with the forward also in Arsenal’s thinking ahead of the new campaign, however, ‘United consider him more of a top target’.

The 29-year-old is described as a “key target” for Ruben Amorim, who is no doubt desperate to bolster the attacking options at his disposal and has Watkins, Cunha and Mbeumo at the heart of his vision.

The report itself further goes on to state: “Amorim wants to reshape the squad by focusing on players with Premier League experience. Watkins is at the heart of this vision, along with names like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Amorim’s target is clear: Ready-made stars who will contribute immediately.”

The £130,000-a-week Watkins has the potential to be an excellent signing for United, having been such a consistent performer for Villa down the years.

He has scored 87 goals in 223 appearances for the Midlands outfit, not to mention netting a memorable winner for England against the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 last summer, and he has also been lauded by Danny Murphy.

“He just looks like a player that is completely comfortable in his own skin and what he is good at. Every aspect of his game has improved under Unai Emery and he is also being pushed for a place by Jhon Duran, so that always helps you raise your game. He is a terrific player.”

The one negative that jumps out with Watkins is that he turns 30 later this year, however, so there is a risk that United could spend big on a player whose peak is about to drift by.

England

18

5

Aston Villa

223

87

Brentford

143

49

Exeter City

78

26

For that reason, Amorim would arguably be wise to look at a younger option to come in and lead the line, even though United signing him likely wouldn’t be a bad thing over the next two or three years.

Compared to their nearest competitors, this has been a quiet transfer window so far over at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal.

Did you expect anything less? While Manchester City have spent a shedload on Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders, Manchester United have added Matheus Cunha to their ranks.

Over in Merseyside, Premier League winners Liverpool have already confirmed the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold. Florian Wirtz is also set to arrive from Bayer Leverkusen in a British transfer record £116m fee too.

So, Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta better whack out the cheque book soon with plenty of new recruits needed, particularly in attack.

The latest on Arsenal's transfer plans this summer

Two of the biggest priorities at the Emirates are bolstering the wide positions and signing a brand new centre forward.

Out wide, we’ve seen notable links to the likes of Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

As for the striker position, it’s all about Benjamin Sesko. Arsenal reportedly opened talks regarding a deal for the Slovenian a few weeks ago. Now, according to German reporter Florian Plettenburg, there is a ‘positive’ feeling around the deal, but no agreement is in place yet over a deal that could reach £68m to £85m.

If a deal cannot be done for the RB Leipzig star, then it’s likely Arsenal will aim to conclude a deal for Sporting superstar Viktor Gyokeres.

The Gunners were interested in the Swede’s services last summer and that interest has remained over the last year. What’s the latest on this one? Well, amid interest from Premier League rivals, Manchester United, it appears as though Gyokeres would prefer the Gunners.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

That’s according to Saturday’s edition of Portuguese newspaper, Record. They suggest that north London and Arsenal is now a ‘dream’ destination for the 27-year-old attacker.

As a result, Record reveals that Man United are ‘no longer an option’ for the Sweden international. That’s despite the fact the Red Devils are now coached by Gyokeres’ previous manager at Sporting, Ruben Amorim.

According to previous reports, Arsenal have already lodged an offer worth £55m, of which £10m are bonuses.

What Viktor Gyokeres could bring to Arsenal

The great debate of the 2025 summer transfer window for Arsenal fans is whether Sesko or Gyokeres would be the better signing.

Well, as far as the raw numbers dictate, it would be the latter. There are few better finishers in the game right now than the Sporting sensation with the Swede scoring a ridiculous haul of 54 goals in 52 games throughout all competitions in 2024/25.

In the league alone, Gyokeres trumped Sesko considerably with the former now being described as “the best striker in Europe” by the Athletic, while former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot even posed the question: “Is he the best striker in the world right now?”

That question is a tricky one considering the level the big Swede has been playing at, but regardless of that, he’d surely be a sensational signing for Arteta’s attack.

They need goals and in the form of the Sporting star, they would find more of them. But, what qualities could be bring just outside of the goals?

Well, there are echoes of a certain Alexis Sanchez here. While the Chilean was certainly better on technique alone and he boasted better close control with the ball, they do have similar builds and running styles.

Indeed, one of the most notable traits Gyokeres can bring to the game is his bulldog-like style. His slightly stockier frame means he is a “human battering ram” in the words of the Athletic’s Mark Carey.

Outlining what makes him so difficult to deal with, Peter Kisfaludy, who was academy director at Gyokeres’s former Swedish club Brommapojkarna, once said: “He is a box player but he can also drive forward with the ball because he is fast and strong.”

What Arsenal have arguably lacked since the days of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sanchez up front is pace. Gyokeres would bring that, but like Alexis, he’d also bring the physicality to stand up to the test of rugged Premier League defences.

Alexis Sanchez in English football
Season (club)	Games	Goals	Assists
2014/15 (Arsenal)	52	25	12
2015/16 (AFC)	41	17	10
2016/17 (AFC)	51	30	18
2017/18 (AFC & MUFC)	40	11	9
2018/19 (Man Utd)	27	2	4
Stats via Transfermarkt.

The Chile superstar has a similar bulldog-like approach, described by FourFourTwo as someone who “plays like he hates losing”, hassling defenders and never giving them a moment’s peace.

Ultimately diminutive in size, Sanchez has a compact build like the Swede and his muscular frame, particularly in the upper half of his body, meaning he could drive forward and burst past defenders with the same sort of power we see from Gyokeres.

There are obvious differences, we cannot deny that, but by luring the Sweden international away from Lisbon, Arsenal may finally find a ruthless centre forward with the same level of efficiency, one who’s capable of replicating the South American’s incredible impact at Arsenal.

Can you just imagine Alexis in this current Arteta side? We can only dream.

He's a dream for Rice: Arsenal are about to submit bid for £84m "magician"

The outrageously talented international would be game-changing for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 12, 2025

Australia will have all eyes on their new opener Konstas, and India would want more support for their star bowler Bumrah

Andrew McGlashan24-Dec-20242:00

Pujara: India should pick another fast bowler for MCG

Big Picture: Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the line

This is big. If India win at the MCG, they retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. If Australia win, they remain on track for a first series win over India in a decade. A defeat for the home side would trigger significant questions while if India lose, their World Test Championship (WTC) fate is out of their hands, although retaining the series trophy would remain possible. With a good forecast, a draw would appear an unlikely result, particularly given the ground’s recent history. And whatever unfolds on Boxing Day could take place in front of more than 90,000 spectators.It’s only been six days since the damp end to proceedings at the Gabba, but a lot has happened. If you weren’t aware of the scoreline, it may feel like India are ahead given Australia have been forced into a change at the top of the order to try and counterpunch against Jasprit Bumrah. It means 19-year-old Sam Konstas will make an extraordinary debut after just 11 first-class matches.But it’s also been a curious few days for the visitors. Virat Kohli had a run-in with a reporter at the Melbourne airport; Ravindra Jadeja only took questions in Hindi at a press conference which got some people annoyed; and there were suggestions of a conspiracy when India were given used pitches to train on at the MCG.Related

• Rohit doesn't want to 'complicate too many things' for Gill and Jaiswal

• MCG pitch to have 'pace, bounce and excitement', but what about runs?

• Konstas' MCG debut confirmed, Head faces a fitness test

• WTC final race – How can India, Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka qualify?

• Should India opt for bowling depth over batting insurance?

Meanwhile, in terms of the important things, they are still trying to find enough support for Bumrah and more runs from a misfiring top order. There does not appear much India can do about the batting order in terms of personnel, instead they will hope someone can follow the lead of KL Rahul.There has not been a lot of actual cricket played in the last two Tests: Adelaide was over little more than an hour into the third day and rain was a constant menace in Brisbane. But since Perth, Australia have dominated. Yet it sits at 1-1 and there is not much wriggle room for them to have a bad day.Australia’s top order remains under scrutiny amid the call to drop Nathan McSweeney in favour of Konstas at such a crucial moment in the series while senior batters Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne remain low on runs. Travis Head, who picked up a quad niggle in Brisbane but is good to go, has been the game-changer while Steven Smith’s hundred was timely and by the end of it he was playing very fluently.The fact that Scott Boland can slot back in at a ground he has enjoyed so much success on (headlined by his 6 for 7 against England in 2021-22) shows the pace-bowling depth Australia have. It may just be what makes the difference, although don’t count out Bumrah being able to win it almost on his own for India, who have not lost a Test at the MCG since 2011.

Form guide

(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia DWLWW
India DLWLL

In the spotlight: Usman Khawaja and Virat Kohli

Usman Khawaja is coming towards the end of what is his leanest Test year since 2013 (when he averaged 19.00 from just three matches). In 2024 he has a return of 337 runs at 24.07 including just one fifty. However, the Australia camp is taking the view that he is out of runs rather than out of form, similar to Smith before his Gabba century. Khawaja has spoken about having next year’s Ashes on his radar with a potential finishing point of the SCG in just over 12 months’ time, but whether he gets there may depend on these next two Tests and the Sri Lanka series.There has been one India great retire in this series. And the rumours are bubbling about who might be next. Virat Kohli ended a century drought with his second innings in Perth but at the moment it is looking like an outlier with a pattern in his dismissals aside from that – pushing hard at the ball outside off stump. In Brisbane he was reaching out to drive a particularly wide delivery. In 2014 he enjoyed a spectacular Test at the MCG with 169 and 54, then in 2018 made a hardworking 82 as captain to help lay the foundation for a famous victory which ultimately decided that series. He missed 2020 when India won again. What will 2024 bring?

Team news: Konstas debut, Boland back; India’s balance question

Konstas’ debut was confirmed on Christmas Eve while Boland will return in place of the injured Josh Hazlewood. Head passed a fitness test on Christmas Day after coming out of the Gabba with a quad strain.Australia: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Sam Konstas, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Scott BolandRohit Sharma’s batting position remains a hot topic and he did not confirm where he would slot in ahead of the game, but it seems unlikely India will break up the opening pair. The other key debate is what to do at No. 8: stick with Nitish Kumar Reddy, pick another specialist quick (which would lengthen the tail) or play Washington Sundar as an alternative allrounder and opt for a 3-2 balance of pace and spin?India (possible): 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Rohit Sharma (capt), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Nitish Kumar Reddy/Washington Sundar, 9 Akash Deep, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj1:57

What’s the blueprint for winning a Test at the MCG?

Pitch and conditions: Sizzling temperatures on Boxing Day

The MCG pitch, which has become a goldmine for the quicks, has been in focus. Curator Matt Page said he will follow the formula which has been a success in recent seasons, leaving around 6mm of grass on the surface. Australia coach Andrew McDonald said it’s normally a surface where you bowl first, but things may be different this time. The forecast for a hot opening day, where temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius, may see the pitch quicken up earlier than normal. There is a chance of showers on the second day but otherwise the forecast is fine and a more pleasant temperature from day three onwards.

Stats and trivia

• Bumrah needs six wickets for 200 in Tests. If he did it at the MCG, in his 44th Test, he would be the joint second-fastest for India behind R Ashwin
• Since the 2018-19 season, there have been six Test centuries scored at the MCG – the lowest of all Australian venues to host more than a single match
• Australia’s current average from their top three is their lowest ever for a home series of at least three Tests (note: includes Pat Cummins as nightwatcher in Perth)

Quotes

“Every game starts afresh…different teams, different structures. Think both teams have similar challenges at the moment. How do you find runs? Both bowling attacks have been on top. I’m not a big believer in history repeating itself.
“After three Test matches, if I had to look at it being one-all, it’s a fair reflection of how both teams have played. There has been solid cricket being played by both teams.”

India also register their highest ever powerplay score in the format

Sampath Bandarupalli05-Nov-202182 for 2 – India’s total in the first six overs against Scotland, their highest powerplay total in men’s T20I cricket. Their previous highest total in the powerplay was 78 for 2 against South Africa in 2018 in Johannesburg. It is also the fifth-highest powerplay total for any team at Men’s T20 World Cups.

Watch cricket live on ESPN+

Sign up for ESPN+ and catch all the action from the Men’s T20 World Cup live in the USA. Match highlights of India vs Scotland is available in English, and in Hindi (USA only).

3.5 – Overs needed for India to bring up their fifty, which is the fastest team fifty for India in men’s T20Is. India’s previous quickest team fifty was in 4.1 overs on three occasions – against New Zealand in 2007, against Australia in 2016 and against West Indies in 2019.81 – Balls remaining in the chase when India reached the target, the first instance of India winning a T20I with ten or more overs to spare. Their previous biggest victory in balls to spare was by 59 balls against UAE in the 2016 Asia Cup. India’s win is also the third-biggest by balls for any team at Men’s T20 World Cups.ESPNcricinfo Ltd18 – Balls needed for KL Rahul to get to fifty, the second-fastest for India in men’s T20Is. The fastest is in 12 balls by Yuvraj Singh against England in 2007. Rahul’s fifty is also the joint-third fastest in Men’s T20 World Cups behind Yuvraj’s 12-ball effort and Stephan Myburgh’s 17-ball fifty against Ireland in 2014. Glenn Maxwell also scored fifty off 18 balls against Pakistan in 2014.2 – The number of fifties completed for India inside the powerplay in men’s T20Is, including Rahul’s knock here. Rohit Sharma also scored exactly 50 runs in the first six overs against New Zealand in 2020 in Hamilton. Rahul is also only the second player to complete a fifty inside a powerplay at Men’s T20 World Cups, after Myburgh’s effort against Ireland.ESPNcricinfo Ltd64 – Wickets for Jasprit Bumrah in T20Is, the most by a bowler for India in this format. With the two wickets Bumrah picked up against Scotland, he became India’s leading wicket-taker in men’s T20Is, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal’s tally of 63.Related

• India spin the wheel but still need fortune to keep semi-final hopes alive

• Jadeja, Shami shine as India blow Scotland away for huge NRR boost

3 for 15 – Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling figures in this match are his best in T20Is. Only once before has Jadeja taken three or more wickets in a T20I – against West Indies in 2014. Jadeja was the Player of the Match for his bowling against Scotland, his second such award in T20Is. His first was back in 2012 against Australia in Melbourne.

The 29-year-old batter’s toil in Pakistan’s first-class circuit attained meaning in Multan when he made a century on Test debut

Danyal Rasool15-Oct-2024Kamran Ghulam has never made any attempt to hide his desperation. All he wanted to do was play international cricket, and he would wait as long as it took. On Tuesday, 11 years on from his first-class debut, as he sat in front of the media after becoming the 13th Pakistani to score a hundred on Test debut, it is that burning desire he repeatedly recalled.”I’d been waiting for my chance a long time but I never gave up,” Ghulam, 29, said. “I had been waiting for my chance. That’s all I thought about. I kept being selected and then omitted from squads, and all I used to think about was how to take the chance I’d been given.”That thinking has paid off well. Ghulam came into the side under huge pressure as he replaced Babar Azam. The stakes were further raised by the situation he walke out to – Pakistan were 19 for 2, having lost Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique cheaply as the England spinners threatened to run riot.”When I came to the wicket we’d lost two wickets. But I wanted to play with a positive mind like I do in first-class cricket. That was at the back of my mind, and I wanted to play my natural game.”And Ghulam’s domestic oeuvre is particularly hefty. Only 12 players have scored more runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy since he made his debut in 2013, with his average, a smidge under 50, placing him behind only Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel and Usman Salahuddin.It was what he drew on as he negotiated a tricky opening session, banking his aggressive shots before lunch, and setting the platform for a 149-run partnership with Saim Ayub that gently eased England’s grip on the game. He hung around when Ayub fell, building up another 65-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan, one in which he brought up his century with a slap over midwicket off Joe Root. By the time he fell, missing a drive off Shoaib Bashir who cleaned him up, he’d scored 118: his 17th first-class hundred.”I’ve scored a lot of first-class runs,” Ghulam said. “I didn’t care about the venue or the team, I just needed to make my debut. I knew I had a lot of hard work behind me, and thankfully that work has paid off for me.”He also acknowledged the circumstances in which he’d made his debut, paying tribute to the man he replaced in the side. “Babar is a very good player and at the back of my mind I was thinking he’s a legend, a very good player. But I thought I’d give 110% and play with a positive mindset. I knew I had to take my opportunity.””And,” he says in his vulnerable, soft spoken tone with characteristic understatement, “when it came, I did well.”

Manchester United are now in talks to sign an “unstoppable” player, Laurie Whitwell has revealed in a report for The Athletic.

Man Utd's striker pursuit heating up

Man United have already confirmed the arrival of Matheus Cunha, while the deal for Bryan Mbeumo appears to be edging closer to completion, meaning Ruben Amorim’s next task may be to secure the signature of a new striker.

There are a number of exciting options on INEOS’ shortlist, many of whom were prolific in front of goal last season, although some price tags could be an issue, given that United missed out on Champions League qualification.

Target

Goals in 24/25

Potential cost

Hugo Ekitike

22

£85m

Ivan Toney

30

£30m

Moise Kean

25

£44m

Viktor Gyokeres

54

£68m

In a report for The Athletic, Whitwell has now dropped a new update on Man United’s pursuit of a new striker, stating that Ekitike is out of their price range, while a deal for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen could be tricky, given the Nigerian’s high wages.

Amorim would like to seal a reunion with Gyokeres, but the Sweden international is prioritising a move to Arsenal, meaning the Red Devils could be forced to move on to other targets, and they have now held talks over a deal for Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku.

Nkunku’s name is said to have been discussed during negotiations over the departure of Alejandro Garnacho, who recently did himself no favours by being pictured wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford’s name on the back.

Nkunku would, presumably, be a more affordable signing than Ekitike, having originally signed for Chelsea for a fee of £52m back in 2023.

"Unstoppable" Nkunku may need to leave Chelsea this summer

The Frenchman often found game time hard to come by last season, and the seemingly imminent arrival of Joao Pedro is likely to do the forward no favours, so it is likely he will need to leave the Blues this summer for the good of his career.

There are some signs the 27-year-old could be the solution to United’s attacking issues, too, having received very high praise from journalist Zach Lowy during his time with RB Leipzig.

The former Leipzig man is also a solid all-rounder, placing in the top 1% for interceptions and his pass-completion rate per 90 over the past year, when compared to other forwards.

That said, Nkunku’s record in front of goal is likely to be a major cause for concern, with the forward finding the back of the net just three times in the Premier League last season, so a move for either Gyokeres or Toney would make more sense.